Validation of the Korean Movement Culture Perception (KMCP) Scale Using the Rasch Model: Evidence from Korean and Chinese Populations

TL;DR

This study validates a scale to measure perceptions of Korean movement culture, like K-pop dance and Taekwondo, among Korean and Chinese participants.

Contribution

The study provides empirical validation of the KMCP scale using the Rasch model and identifies culturally biased items.

Findings

The KMCP scale showed high internal consistency and adequate model fit for most items.

Five items exhibited differential item functioning based on nationality, indicating cultural bias.

Item difficulty was clustered in the middle, limiting the scale's ability to measure diverse perception levels.

Abstract

This study validates the Korean Movement Culture Perception (KMCP) scale, a tool designed to assess Korea's 'Movement Culture' (e.g., K-pop dance, Taekwondo), a key element of the 'Shin Hallyu' (New Korean Wave) characterized by participatory consumption. Using the Rasch model, this study analysed the validity of the scale among 1,240 participants from Korea and China, a major market for Hallyu.

Participants responded to the 21-item KMCP scale, which comprises three sub-factors ('Korean attractiveness,' 'correct knowledge information,' and 'content diversification'), using a five-point Likert scale.

The scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = .954), and all 21 items showed an adequate model fit (Infit range: 0.86–1.11), confirming its overall construct validity. However, the item-person map revealed that item difficulty was clustered in the middle, indicating a limited capacity to measure diverse perception levels. Furthermore, significant differential item functioning (DIF) was found in five items (4, 6, 7, 12, and 31) based on nationality, with three of this exhibiting cultural bias unfavourable to foreigners.

In conclusion, while the KMCP scale is a generally valid tool, the revision of culturally biased items is urgently needed to ensure cross-cultural equivalence. By improving the scale, this study will contribute to a more objective evaluation of Hallyu content's value and support the global dissemination of Korean movement culture as a health promotion tool through education.

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